On Division by Goldie Goldbloom

Goldbloom's intimate novel, set in Williamsburg's Hasidic community, follows Surie Eckstein, a 57-year-old mother and grandmother who is shocked to learn that she is pregnant with twins. Keeping her pregnancy a secret from her husband, she begins to change in relation to her community, and to how she, her family, and community treated her gay son, Lipa.

The book is an excellent catalyst for discussion of the value and pressures of living within a tight-knit community. Among the issues it addresses are family secrets, expectations of women in traditional Judaism, and homosexuality. You can find reviews of the book in The Forward, Lilith, Kirkus, Publishers Weekly, and Goodreads.

Our book group meets monthly to discuss the book of the month! Each month's book is from Book Club in a Box, a program of the Jewish Community Library of San Francisco, which provides copies of our chosen books which can be borrowed from the temple office. Pick up your copy, read it, then come to the temple and enjoy a spirited conversation about it!